embarrassment

[em-bar-uhs-muhnt]

noun

1. the state of being embarrassed; disconcertment; abashment.

   Synonyms: discomposure

2. an act or instance of embarrassing.

3. something that embarrasses.

4. an overwhelmingly excessive amount; overabundance.

   an embarrassment of riches.

5. the state of being in financial difficulties.

6. Medicine/Medical.,  impairment of functioning associated with disease.

   respiratory embarrassment.

Other Word Forms

• preembarrassment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of embarrassment¹

From the French word embarrassement, dating back to 1670–80. See embarrass, -ment

Synonym Study

See shame.

Example Sentences

As if “Boogie Nights” wasn’t audacious enough, Anderson boldly followed it up with a film of naked vulnerability: an emotional weather report unafraid to risk embarrassment in examining a perpetual dark night of the soul.

From Los Angeles Times

In such an era, the fact that the American president decided to blather and bluster instead of attempting to offer workable proposals is nothing short of an embarrassment.

From Salon

The Duchess of York has so far been the great survivor of the royal world, bouncing back from embarrassments that would have sunk many others.

From BBC

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the genocide report was based on "Hamas lies" and poor research, calling it an "embarrassment to the legal profession".

From BBC

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the protests a source of "pride", but opposition politicians said government actions had caused international embarrassment.

From BBC

Related Words

• chagrin 
• confusion 
• difficulty 
• dilemma 
• mess 
• mistake 
• unease